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Road and Utilities Projects to cause traffic congestion in South Lakeland throughout summer

by
Gail Adams | May 16, 2018

Bartow, Fla. (May 16, 2018) — Construction begins soon on two projects that most likely will cause traffic congestion and redirect truck routes in South Lakeland for several months.

On Friday, May 18, 2018, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will begin improvements on Ewell Road. Poley Creek Bridge will be demolished and replaced, traffic signals will be added at Lunn Road and roadway will be resurfaced. If weather permits, construction should end in early 2019. Detour routes will be posted during bridge replacement. Truck traffic will need to use Shepherd Road during construction.

Polk County Utilities will begin construction in CR 540A at SR 37 (South Florida Avenue) in late May. This construction is scheduled to be completed by early August. The Utilities project will require lane closures, reducing traffic to one lane each way on CR 540A including turn lane closures at the SR 37 intersection.

“Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes, especially during working hours,” said Deputy County Manager Bill Beasley. “We appreciate your patience as the county and the State work concurrently on these projects.”

Electronic messaging signs will be placed throughout the area to warn motorists of narrowing lanes and detours.

“The biggest inconvenience will be to people trying to travel from US 98 to County Line Road,” said Beasley. “We hope that by doing the majority of work to both of these projects during the summer months, we are least disruptive of bus routes and school traffic.”

Questions regarding the Ewell Road/Poley Creek bridge replacement should be directed to Sandra Mancil with FDOT at (863) 519-4116. Questions regarding the Polk County Utilities project at SR 37 and CR 540A may be directed to Holden Wright at (863) 298-4167.